Lifestyle

Holding food safety reform until we’re competent?

Almost three weeks after the Auditor-General released a negative report on the ACT Government’s food safety regulations the Liberals’ Jeremy Hanson has finally chimed in with a media release today, claiming the report should be the first priority over other reform in the area.

“Katy Gallagher needs to get the basic management of her Health Protection Service right before pushing additional regulation of the food industry through the governments Food Amendment Bill 2011.”

I am very concerned about the Auditor Generals report and will seek assurances that the government will rectify these failings before the Canberra Liberals consider the upcoming Bill, Mr Hanson concluded.

Coincidentally (or perhaps not), ACTAHA called for less regulations today, or “many local cafes and restaurants will be forced to close their doors for good.”

Is it worth amendments to a 10-year-old bill getting put on hold until the ACT Government learns from the auditor’s report?

UPDATE: Katy Gallagher is asking what Jeremy’s position actually is on naming dud business, but then goes on to say that the egregious failings of the Health Protection Service are OK because they knew about them before the audit.